where we are in terms of where we are not in the bush administration's approach -- obama's administration's approach. there is an assessment coming into the obama administration that the united states has overreacted to north korea. provocations and overtures. that when there was a hint from p'yongyang they would be willing to make some improvement, we would get to the negotiating table. similarly, when it was a provocation we wrap up quickly. we wanted to see if we could break that cycle. in the first few years we saw a and we generally stuck to our guns and principles and cut the door open for discussions on the conditions of what north korea had already agreed to. i think it is important to note that we should not confuse strategic patients with standing still. the u.s. has been fairly active in its approach to north korea more broadly, in terms of enacting robust sanctions against north korea. other forathe un and to enhance our sanctions and international pressure and to isolate p'yongyang. also the efforts to enhance our alliance of partnership capabilities and enhance our military pr